Curr Biol January 2013 PMID 23347946

The biology of fear.

Ralph Adolphs

Mentions

96
Peak: 3 in Sep 2025
across 6 sources since Mar 2018

Extended reach

31,595
potential audience

Total likes

56

Video views

5,897

Mentions per month

Mar 2018 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News70 articles
  • X / Twitter9 posts
  • Facebook8 posts
  • Blogs5 articles
  • Bluesky2 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The collective discussions demonstrate active interest and engagement, with examples such as references to using biological understanding to overcome anxiety, explanations distinguishing physiological responses from emotional experiences, and mentions of interpreting fear in ecological and health contexts. The tone varies from curiosity to critical analysis, highlighting the article's influence on both personal understanding and scientific discourse.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

The posts are generally neutral or supportive, emphasizing understanding and applying the scientific insights, but some, like the critique about the distinction between physiological responses and emotional experiences, indicate mixed views.

InterestHigh interest

Many discussions express high curiosity about the biological mechanisms and practical applications, such as overcoming fear and anxiety, showing strong engagement with the topic.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts include calls for practical tools, references to scientific concepts, and references to events or discussions, reflecting active engagement that goes beyond surface-level interest.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest that the article has a meaningful influence on how individuals understand fear, especially in reducing stigma and informing health practices, although some debates imply moderate impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The text discusses the scientific challenges in understanding fear, highlighting that while many animals show signs of fear, scientists debate whether fear is purely psychological or if animals genuinely experience it.
  • There are conflicting findings from studies on rodents and humans about the brain mechanisms behind fear, which makes understanding the concept more complicated.
  • The author suggests three ways to improve the study of fear: comparing across different species to find common elements, focusing on fear's role in ecology and survival, and exploring the subjective experience of fear in animals to better understand feelings across species.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Adverbia
@adverbia.bsky.social · Bluesky

The good folks over at Perfect Organism Podcast were good enough to have me on with @alexwhite.bsky.social to talk about THE BIOLOGY OF FEAR. If you're an ALIEN fan, check it out! https://www.perfectorganism.com/home/2023/8/8/222-the-biology-of-fear-with-lali-derosier-and-alex-white

Aug 8, 2023 · 10 likes · 5 shares View post →
MathAndScience.com
@JasonGibsonMath · X

Learn Algebra, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry & Engineering at: https://t.co/H2o6nDtcRi The Biology of Fear https://t.co/h7L9nepQo7

Oct 31, 2025 · 2 likes · 14,958 followers View post →
Athena Aktipis
@AthenaAktipis · X

Have you ever experienced a sound that made your heart race or your hair stand on end? What was it, and how did you react? The biology of fear is a fascinating topic—one that we’re diving into at ZAMM2024.

Sep 4, 2024 · 2 likes · 3,775 followers View post →
KYD
@K_Y_D_A_A_L · X

Why does your heart race before a big pitch… the same way it would if a dog chased you? because your brain can’t tell the difference between danger & growth. here’s the biology of fear and how to use it

Sep 14, 2025 · 1 like · 47 followers View post →
Zicutake USA Comment
@Zicutake · X

Leadership Lessons From Halloween About The Biology Of Fear https://t.co/cuFOouETvj

Oct 31, 2025 · 5,762 followers View post →
Danielle & Sage Val
@ValmereTheory · X

@directRmarketer @Plinz Also you throw out “fight, flight, freeze” like it disproves cognitive first processing. Those are autonomic, not emotional. They’re physiological responses, and still initiated by brain processing. You’re confusing the biology of fear with the experience of emotion. Calling

Jun 27, 2025 · 660 followers View post →

All mentions

Michael Canzian
@MichaelCanzian · X

Leadership Lessons From Halloween About The Biology Of Fear https://t.co/ddw1FDK81Z

Nov 3, 2025 · 117 followers View post →
MathAndScience.com
@JasonGibsonMath · X

Learn Algebra, Calculus, Physics, Chemistry & Engineering at: https://t.co/H2o6nDtcRi The Biology of Fear https://t.co/h7L9nepQo7

Oct 31, 2025 · 2 likes · 14,958 followers View post →
Zicutake USA Comment
@Zicutake · X

Leadership Lessons From Halloween About The Biology Of Fear https://t.co/cuFOouETvj

Oct 31, 2025 · 5,762 followers View post →
KYD
@K_Y_D_A_A_L · X

Why does your heart race before a big pitch… the same way it would if a dog chased you? because your brain can’t tell the difference between danger & growth. here’s the biology of fear and how to use it

Sep 14, 2025 · 1 like · 47 followers View post →
clipside
@shubhydoo · X

Discover the biology of fear extinction and how to replace fears with positive experiences. Learn practical tools to overcome anxiety. #fear #anxiety https://t.co/dJLOJRMu86

Sep 9, 2025 · 35 followers View post →
clipside
@shubhydoo · X

Learn about the biology of fear and trauma, plus practical tools to confront them. A recent study shows that 5 minutes a day of deliberate exposure to stress can alleviate longstanding depressive and fear-related symptoms. #fear #trauma https://t.co/WMuBv8621r

Sep 9, 2025 · 35 followers View post →
Danielle & Sage Val
@ValmereTheory · X

@directRmarketer @Plinz Also you throw out “fight, flight, freeze” like it disproves cognitive first processing. Those are autonomic, not emotional. They’re physiological responses, and still initiated by brain processing. You’re confusing the biology of fear with the experience of emotion. Calling

Jun 27, 2025 · 660 followers View post →
rwsanders
@rwsanders · X

@RollinAndes @haziethompson Yeah, cause y’know… to be anxious unhealthy, fearful, angry and/or humorless is not only unfortunate, but also hard for one’s health/immune system. The biology of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors https://t.co/VEQYmLQhOA Anger and health risk behaviors

Sep 13, 2024 · 300 followers View post →
Athena Aktipis
@AthenaAktipis · X

Have you ever experienced a sound that made your heart race or your hair stand on end? What was it, and how did you react? The biology of fear is a fascinating topic—one that we’re diving into at ZAMM2024.

Sep 4, 2024 · 2 likes · 3,775 followers View post →
Adverbia
@adverbia.bsky.social · Bluesky

The good folks over at Perfect Organism Podcast were good enough to have me on with @alexwhite.bsky.social to talk about THE BIOLOGY OF FEAR. If you're an ALIEN fan, check it out! https://www.perfectorganism.com/home/2023/8/8/222-the-biology-of-fear-with-lali-derosier-and-alex-white

Aug 8, 2023 · 10 likes · 5 shares View post →
Angi Yoder-Maina, Phd
@angiyo.bsky.social · Bluesky

When we understand the biology of fear we don't have to be ashamed of our normal responses to abnormal experiences reducing feelings of stigma. #traumainformedKE

Dec 4, 2021 View post →